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Electrical Engineering Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in electrical engineering requires a minimum of 128 s.h. of coursework. The major provides technical depth and breadth along with the flexibility for students to customize their programs according to their own goals and interests. Students choose one of several elective focus areas according to the type of job or research they plan to pursue. More than 20 EFAs are available, such as bioinformatics, business, communication systems, medical imaging, nanotechnology, power systems, and software engineering; for a complete list, see Elective Focus Areas. Students may also work with their academic advisor to create a customized EFA plan tailored to their goals and objectives.

Students also complete the curriculum designed for their major program, which covers four major stems: mathematics and basic sciences, engineering topics, an elective focus area, and the general education component. For information about the curriculum stems, see Bachelor of Science in Engineering in the Catalog.

The curriculum is built on a common core of electrical and computer engineering courses taken by all students. Beginning in the sophomore year students select either the electrical or computer curricular track and begin taking more specialized courses. The Electrical track is intended to provide a broad background in electrical engineering concepts and practice that prepares students for graduate study or electrical engineering careers in a wide range of industries and organizations. The Computer track provides focus and depth for students preparing for graduate study, or a career in computer hardware or software engineering.

Electrical Engineering students complete the curriculum listed under Academic Plans. During their second year, they select an elective focus area (EFA) in consultation with their academic advisor. Students typically begin EFA courses in their third year.

Students beginning their major in fall 2018 and after will be required to take ECE:3360 Embedded Systems (spring, 3 s.h.) as one of their technical EFA courses. Students who began their major before fall 2018 are strongly encouraged to take ECE:3360 Embedded Systems (spring, 3 s.h.) as one of their technical EFA courses.

Computer Track Courses

Students in the computer track complete five track courses plus CS:2230 Computer Science II: Data Structures as an elective focus area course. Students completing the computer track earn a minor in computer science. Click Here for Curriculum Guide

Course Code

Title

Semester Offered

Hours

CS:2210

Discrete Structures

All

3

CS:2230

Computer Science II: Data Structures (Required EFA Course)

All

4

ECE:3330

Software Design

Fall

3

ECE:3350

Computer Architecture

Spring

3

ECE:3360

Embedded Systems and System Software

Spring

3

CS:3330

Algorithms

All

3

Track Breadth and Depth Elective Courses

Students complete one track breadth elective and one track depth elective.

Students in the computer track must choose their track breadth elective from the list of required electrical track courses above. Students in the electrical track must choose their track breadth elective from the list of required computer track courses. Students in either track may instead use ECE:3540 Communication Networks as their track breadth elective.

The track depth elective must be an advanced course in a subject area within a student's track—normally numbered 4000 or above.

Elective Focus Area

Students select an elective focus area (EFA) to personalize their curriculum and to help them prepare for the type of job or research they plan to pursue. More than 20 EFAs are available, such as bioinformatics, business, communication systems, medical imaging, nanotechnology, power systems, and software engineering; for a complete list, see Elective Focus Areas. Students may also work with their academic advisor to create a customized EFA plan tailored to their goals and interests.

Students complete six elective focus area courses (18 s.h.) in addition to their track breadth and track depth courses, which they choose according to guidelines established by the department.

Students who choose their EFA and GEC courses carefully may be able to earn the Certificate in Sustainability, the Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship, or one of several undergraduate minors offered by the University without taking courses beyond those required for the electrical engineering major. Students in the computer track must take CS:2230 Computer Science II: Data Structures as an elective focus area course which in turn satisfies the requirements for a minor in computer science. Students that take one additional advanced math course meet the requirements for a minor in mathematics.

General Education Courses

Student are required to take at least 15 semester hours of General Education Component (GEC) course credit, see the General Education Component on the College of Engineering website. The requirements are the following:

Capstone Design Courses

In their senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone design sequence culminating in the development and implementation of a significant, original project. The capstone design experience emphasizes team work, professionalism, open-ended problem solving, and the ability to work within real-world constraints and engineering standards.